• $ 1.7
  • € 1.9934
  • ₽ 0.020047
  • ₺ 0.0411
  • £ 2.3046

NASA discovers Mars ice deposit the size of lake superior

NASA discovers Mars ice deposit the size of lake superior
29.11.2016 12:32
NASA has announced the discovery of a colossal mass of underground ice on Mars that could hold as much water as Lake Superior, the second-largest lake on Earth. The body was found in a region of the red planet called "the Utopia” in an area some 2,050 miles in diameter, roughly the size of New Mexico, and running about 560 feet below the surface, Sputnik reported.

The discovery was made by the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) orbital instrument, which passed over Utopia some 600 times.The ice is protected by a layer of soil, as water cannot exist on the surface of Mars, and it is believed that the deposit is close enough to be accessed by astronauts. Jack Holt, who co-authored the study said on NASA’s website that, "This deposit is probably more accessible than most water ice on Mars, because it is at a relatively low latitude and it lies in a flat, smooth area where landing a spacecraft would be easier than at some of the other areas with buried ice."

Joe Levy, another co-author said that scientists may be able to better understand Mars’ history of climate change because of the discovery, and could possibly discern whether the planet’s water supply could have sustained life.

He said, "We don't understand fully why ice has built up in some areas of the Martian surface and not in others…Sampling and using this ice with a future mission could help keep astronauts alive, while also helping them unlock the secrets of Martian ice ages."

Cassie Stuurman of the Institute for Geophysics at the University of Texas, Austin told NASA that, "This deposit probably formed as snowfall accumulating into an ice sheet mixed with dust during a period in Mars history when the planet's axis was more tilted than it is today."

www.ann.az
Similar news
Similar news
Heavy rain in Guba triggers floods, damages bridge
Society 14:00
Heavy rain in Guba triggers floods, damages bridge
BSTDB provides Bank Respublika with a loan of 25 million manats
Society 10:27
BSTDB provides Bank Respublika with a loan of 25 million manats
Doctor sentenced over negligence in newborn death case
Society 11:00
Doctor sentenced over negligence in newborn death case
Only licensed taxis allowed at Baku airport under new rules
Society 17:00
Only licensed taxis allowed at Baku airport under new rules

Nar and YASHAT Foundation congratulate the children of fallen heroes on the occasion of Knowledge Day
Society 14:35
Nar and YASHAT Foundation congratulate the children of fallen heroes on the occasion of Knowledge Day
Think tanks meet in Baku for 13th CICA forum
Society 10:30
Think tanks meet in Baku for 13th CICA forum
Nar awarded this year’s top-performing university entrants
Society 17:51
Nar awarded this year’s top-performing university entrants
Founder of JOY TOUR arrested on fraud charges
Society 17:00
Founder of JOY TOUR arrested on fraud charges
Red Hearts Foundation marks International Day of Charity with a special campaign
Society 18:03
Red Hearts Foundation marks International Day of Charity with a special campaign
Anews TV

Our official Youtube channel

Subscribe